UK military trainers in Pakistan are withdrawn

[Gerald]

British military trainers working with security forces in Pakistan have been withdrawn at the request of the Pakistan government.

The trainers, believed to number about 20, were working with Pakistan's frontier constabulary - a paramilitary force on the front line of the fight against the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

The Ministry of Defence said it was due to "security concerns".

But it added that the withdrawal was temporary.

A spokeswoman said: "The UK has been asked to withdraw some of its training support teams on a temporary basis by the Pakistan government in response to security concerns.

"We are providing training support at the invitation of the Pakistan government and welcome their advice on these matters.

"The training teams will continue their own training and will be ready to redeploy at the first possible opportunity."

The United States has already had to bring home more than 100 military trainers.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13923483


Note: 27 June 2011 Last updated at 10:11 GMT